MRC DiMeN Doctoral Training Partnership: Understanding the genetics of melanoma by studying heritable risk factors
Supervisors: Dr Mark Iles, Prof Tim Bishop
Background
Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the UK and its incidence has risen faster than any other common cancer - a five-fold increase since 1975. Melanoma is highly heritable and, uniquely amongst cancers, it has several highly heritable risk factors, including pigmentation, mole count and telomere length. Genetic association studies of melanoma risk have identified 20 associated genetic regions and the vast majority of these have been associated with one of the three heritable factors. There is compelling evidence that there are many more genetic regions associated with melanoma risk through one of these three factors.
Objectives
We propose conducting joint analyses of melanoma risk (based on >30,000 cases) and pigmentation (recorded in UK Biobank), naevus count (from a recent study of >50,000 individuals) and telomere length (data soon to be released by UK Biobank). This would result in increased power to identify novel genetic regions associated with melanoma risk, to estimate the contribution of each of these risk factors for melanoma and to develop genetic predictors of disease for each of these factors as well as provide insights into the interaction of these predictors in determining risk.
While genetic variants associated with melanoma risk have been subsequently tested to investigate their potential effect on related traits, such traits have not been used themselves to directly inform the analysis of the genetics of melanoma risk.
Candidates should have a good first degree in a relevant scientific discipline with a strong grasp of statistical analysis (either through formal qualification or experience). An interest in genetics is important, but no prior knowledge is required.
The group has an international reputation in the field of genetic epidemiology. Members of the section lead GenoMEL, the world’s largest melanoma genetics consortium and are part of large consortia studying the genetics of diseases such as testis cancer, colorectal cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.
Funding:
Studentships are fully funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) for 3.5yrs
Includes:
Stipend at national UKRI standard rate
Tuition fees
Research training and support grant (RTSG)
Travel allowance
Studentships commence: 1st October 2019.
To qualify, you must be a UK or EU citizen who has been resident in the UK/EU for 3 years prior to commencement. Applicants must have obtained, or be about to obtain, at least a 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
Applicants can apply for up to three PhD projects form the doctoral training portfolio and up to 32 studentships will be awarded. All applications are scored blindly based on merit.
Informal enquiries are encouraged and may be addressed to Dr Mark Iles ( [log in to unmask] )
For more details and to apply go to:
http://www.dimen.org.uk/how-to-apply/current-opportunities
Dr Mark Iles
Leeds Institute for Data Analytics,
Level 11,
Worsley Building,
Clarendon Way,
Leeds,
LS2 9NL
UK
Tel: +44 (0)113 343 6217
e-mail: [log in to unmask]<applewebdata:[log in to unmask]>
https://medhealth.leeds.ac.uk/profile/900/868/mark_martin_iles
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